September 4, 2022
By: Dwayne Page
As part of September National Recovery Month, the DeKalb Prevention Coalition marked International Overdose Awareness Day on Thursday with an event that honored those who have died from drug overdoses and provided resources for those battling drug addiction.
The event, held on the west side of the courthouse concluded with a moment of silence as participants held hands encircled around a tree decorated with purple ribbons placed there in memory of loves ones lost to an overdose.
“Our mission is to eliminate overdose, eliminate stigma associated with substance use disorder, and ensure every patient has access to and support throughout the recovery process,” said Jennifer Matthews, Director of the DeKalb County Prevention Coalition.
The ceremony featured entertainment, food, as well as remarks by County Mayor Matt Adcock and General Sessions and Juvenile Court Judge Brandon Cox along with Will Taylor, Faith-based Community Coordinator for Middle Tennessee and Justin Cantrell, Regional Overdose Prevention Specialist.
“I challenge all of you today to pay remembrance to lives lost but to recover out loud, share your story because there is nothing to be ashamed of,” said Will Taylor.
Justin Cantrell, a recovering drug addict and guest speaker for Thursday evening’s program, said his life has completely changed.
“My life before was unmanageable. Court dates, jail, and rehab twelve different times. I was miserable and my family and every relationship in my life was destroyed. I had no job and was broke, homeless, busted and disgusted and I didn’t want to face reality, but I had to fully admit that I had a problem, and that I was powerless over this. The disease of addiction. It was only then that my life began to change through a 12-step recovery program, and I turned my will and life over to God and received a spiritual awakening,” said Cantrell.
The family of the late Christie Mullican also displayed a purple chair with sparkles called “Christie’s Chair” in tribute to their loved one who died of an overdose in 2005 and in memory of others who have lost the battle of addiction.
“At first, we decided to do the chair in memory of my sister Christie but then we came to doing it for overdose awareness. Every sparkle on that chair represents a life lost to an overdose. Its called Christie’s Chair. We also have a poster for survivors,” said Amanda Parsley.
A poem in memory of Christie called “My Empty Chair”, written by Parsley and Melissa Randall, was read during the event by Isaac Pinegar. “Do not take my chair. Leave it be. My chair sits here empty in memory of me. I am in God’s care. With every sparkle on my chair remember the love we share. I gained my wings. You gained my voice. Please tell the world I made the wrong choice. Overdose Awareness August 31. Overdose is preventable”.
“We have to spread this message to let people be aware of how serious drugs are. You might use for the first time or for the last time and for a lot of people it is the last time. If you are alive at least you still have a choice,” said Parsley
Part of the event included training in how to administer naloxone, a life-saving drug that can revive someone who has overdosed. Suzanne Angel, Regional Overdose Prevention Specialist for the State of Tennessee Region 3 North conducted the training.